5 things to watch tonight

9/5/12 5:42 PM EDT

The second day of the Democratic National Convention is heavy with California speakers and also features some top labor leaders and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

But the main event comes in the 10:00 p.m. window, when delegates will hear from Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and, finally, former President Bill Clinton.

Here are 5 things to watch tonight:

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy

Malloy, a blue state governor who’s down in the polls — even with his own party — has both motive and opportunity to tee off on Mitt Romney and the GOP.

He’s been making the Charlotte rounds, most notably on cable TV and in the delegation breakfast meetings, and he’s unlikely to give a milquetoast address. Since he’s speaking in the dreaded 6:00 window, however, his remarks aren’t likely to get much notice.

The abortion rights focus

Tuesday evening featured NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Nancy Keenan in a prime speaking role and tonight features Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards in a similar slot.

Together with activist Sandra Fluke and a host of other speakers who have already highlighted the reproductive rights issue in their speeches, Democrats are placing a very big bet on a full-throated, unequivocal embrace of abortion rights.

Rep. Barney Frank

The openly gay veteran Massachusetts congressman is retiring from Congress at the end of the year. While he’s likely to take a scalpel to Mitt Romney, his speech represents his first chance to address the whole of the Democratic Party after its historic inclusion of a gay marriage plank — and in the state that voted overwhelmingly in favor of a state constitutional referendum in May limiting marriage and domestic unions to heterosexuals.

Elizabeth Warren

Warren, the Massachusetts Senate candidate who’s wildly popular with progressives, will receive a warm welcome when she takes to the stage in the 10:00 window. Her goal is two-fold: to connect to voters back home, where she trails GOP Sen. Scott Brown by a small margin, but also to energize liberals with her populist message and sharp anti-Wall Street rhetoric.

Former President Bill Clinton

The former president’s address is the night’s centerpiece, the second-most anticipated speech of the convention. His awkward relationship with President Barack Obama provides the backdrop for what could be one of the most dramatic moments of the convention, where the now popular Clinton attempts to burnish his legacy while also advancing the cause of a polarizing successor who has struggled to win over independents and swing voters.